A Diploma in Policing is an academic qualification in policing and criminal justice. It is not a route into the South African Police Service — SAPS recruits through its own advertised process and trains its own members, and the diploma is neither required for that nor a substitute for it.
Understanding that separation before enrolling matters, because the qualification has real value in a range of careers, and disappointment comes from expecting the wrong one.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Typical admission requirements for a Diploma in Policing.
- A National Senior Certificate with a Diploma pass as the minimum
- A minimum achievement in the language of instruction, commonly English
- A minimum in Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, set by the institution
- The institution’s APS or points requirement for the programme
- A National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4 in a relevant field, as an alternative route
- A valid South African ID, or a passport with a study permit
- A clean criminal record, where the programme includes placement in a justice setting
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Confirm the current admission requirements with the university directly. APS scores, subject minimums and closing dates are set by each institution, revised annually, and differ between campuses. The institution’s own prospectus is the only authoritative source.
SAPS recruitment is separate. The Service advertises entry-level recruitment, and its own requirements — age limits, fitness, medical, criminal record, driver’s licence and citizenship among them — are set by SAPS and published when recruitment opens. Check the SAPS website and the Government Gazette rather than relying on a college’s implication that a diploma helps.
Nobody can sell you a place in SAPS. Recruitment is free to enter and competitive. Any person or agency charging a fee to secure a position, to fast-track an application or to guarantee selection is committing fraud — report it to SAPS and the police.
Where the diploma does help is in the wider criminal justice and security sector: correctional services, metropolitan police services, traffic policing, the Department of Justice, private security management, investigations, and compliance and risk roles. It also articulates into further study in policing, criminology and forensic investigation.
Metropolitan and traffic policing have their own recruitment and their own training colleges, with requirements set by the municipality or the Road Traffic Management Corporation. Those are separate applications with separate criteria.
Check accreditation as you would anywhere. The qualification should be on the SAQA register and accredited by the Council on Higher Education.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Subject and points requirements.
- A Diploma pass in the National Senior Certificate, at minimum
- English or the language of instruction at the level the institution requires
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy at the specified level — Mathematical Literacy is commonly accepted
- An institution-specific APS, which changes annually with demand
- History, Life Orientation and Life Sciences are useful but rarely compulsory
- A National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4 with the required subject passes, where accepted
Documents and Application Requirements
The application document set.
- Certified copy of your South African ID or passport
- Certified copy of your National Senior Certificate or final Grade 12 results
- Academic transcripts and certificates from any previous study
- Proof of payment of the application fee, where one applies
- Proof of residence, where required
- A study permit, for international applicants
- A curriculum vitae, where the programme requires work experience
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Places are limited and demand is high, so meeting the minimum APS does not guarantee an offer. Apply early, apply to more than one institution, and have a second qualification choice.
Check NSFAS eligibility. NSFAS funds qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges, and a public university diploma is within that. Applications have their own closing dates that are separate from the university’s.
Look at the whole justice sector, not one employer. Correctional services, metro police, traffic, courts, private investigations and corporate security all recruit from this qualification, and they recruit at different times through different processes.
Private security has its own regulator. The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) registers security service providers and sets training and registration grades. If private security is your route, PSIRA registration is what you need alongside or instead of a diploma.
A criminal record is a serious obstacle across this sector. If there is anything in your history, obtain your police clearance certificate early and get advice on expungement where it may apply, rather than discovering the problem at the vetting stage.
Apply directly to the university. Agents charging application assistance fees for public university applications are selling something that is free and simple to do yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this diploma get me into SAPS?
No. SAPS recruits through its own advertised process with its own requirements and trains its own members. The diploma is neither required nor a substitute.
Can anyone guarantee me a police post?
No. Recruitment is free to enter and competitive. Anyone charging to secure or fast-track a position is committing fraud.
Where else does the qualification lead?
Correctional services, metro and traffic policing, the Department of Justice, private security management, investigations, and compliance and risk roles, plus further study.
What if I want to work in private security?
PSIRA registers security service providers and sets training and registration grades. That registration is what the sector requires.
Admission requirements, APS scores, closing dates and recruitment criteria are set by the university, SAPS, PSIRA and the other employers concerned, and are revised annually. Confirm current requirements with each directly.